Rigged from the Start

Chapter 73

A Rash Decision

A bead of sweat built on my brow. This was intense. I could feel the pressure. It sat on my shoulders, making me hunch over as I focused. My right leg bounced non-stop as a low, nervous hum rumbled through my chest. I flicked my eyes up at my two opponents.

Severa's brow was furrowed as she sat to my right. She looked just as focused as me, and just as uncertain. Her throat bobbed, and the tip of her tongue poked out of the corner of her mouth as she concentrated. Her ruby eyes flicked to me, locking with my gaze for a split second. Her nervous look twitched into a smug smirk, causing a small pit to form in my gut.

Across from me, Gaius lounged, resting easy as he grinned ear to ear at me and Severa. His legs were crossed. Not a hint of nervousness marred his face. He was in his element.

Finally, Panne sat to my left, brow furrowed, not out of nervousness, but confusion. After taking a breath, she spoke up.

"Manspawn, I have three aces." Gaius's grin dropped. "What does that mean?"

"For Naga's sake, Whiskers…" Gaius tossed his cards to the center of the table. "Fold."

I puffed out a sputtering breath and did the same, all of the tension I felt ebbing away in small waves. I flicked my cards to the center of the table, echoing Gaius without having to say a word. To my surprise, Severa did not fold. She eyed Panne, and Panne returned her glare.

"Uh, Ginger?" Gaius began, "You do know that Panne-"

"She's bluffing," Severa interrupted.

Panne tilted her head, blinked, and leaned towards Gaius. "Bluffing means lying, right?"

"Like a champ, yes," Gaius nodded.

"Oh…" Panne flicked her eyes at her cards, her lips twitching a little as she eyed her hand. She leaned towards Gaius again. "Does she not realize that Taguel cannot lie as well as humans can?"

Gaius bowed his head, a long sigh leaving his lips. "I think we're all aware."

"I certainly cannot lie as well as you."

"Bluff, Panne," Gaius droned. "It's bluff, not lie."

"I know what I said."

A laugh sputtered from my lips. As I chuckled, I reached towards a mug of ale on the table. "Well played, Panne."

Panne's long ears twitched. A wry smirk formed on her lips as she reveled in Gaius's dumbfounded expression. "Thank you, Samwise. I believe this is the first time Gaius has noticed that I have learned his joking ways a little bit."

"And that's why I know you're bluffing," Severa cut in, a victorious grin forming her face. "You've figured out bluffing and joking."

Panne tilted her head. "Perhaps I have, but how do those apply to the game again?"

"Oh for Naga's sake, show your hands already!" Gaius cried, folding his arms as he huffed. "Or fold them, for all I care. I've already lost out on my pay for the week."

"That's why you don't do big bets," I remarked.

"You lost the same amount."

"Back pay, Gaius," I replied. "The crown owed me a lot. That's why I'm even playing this game anyway. Also," I glanced at Severa, "I'm with Gaius. Let's see what you two got already."

Severa's rolled her eyes. "Gawds, and you think I'm the impatient one." She flicked her cards face-up on the table, revealing a straight. "Bring it, Bunny."

Gaius's eyes bulged from his sockets. "You did not just call Whiskers… Lucky, Ginger has a death wish."

Panne's face darkened into a scowl while Severa gave her a smug smirk. Severa's confidence in this situation was not without merit. A straight was a damn good hand. Hard to beat even under the best circumstances. That confidence leaked into how Severa treated Panne as well, and I worried about that a little bit. No one called Panne a bunny and got away with it. That was like trying to steal from Anna. There would be retribution.

Panne sniffed and set her cards face down. An excited glow entered Severa's eyes. Right as she was about to raise her hands in victory, Panne flipped her cards over, revealing a full house of kings and aces.

"I wasn't bluffing," Panne remarked, a smug smile creasing her lips.

Severa's jaw hung from its hinges. Across from me, Gaius had both his hands over his mouth as he tried to stifle his laughter. Meanwhile, I bowed my head, snickering as Severa gawked at Panne.

"But you- but bluffing is- huh?" Severa stammered.

"I believe Miriel and Robin refer to what I did as reverse, reverse psychology?" Panne smiled.

Gaius wheezed. "Oh Naga, the look on your face, Ginger! Priceless!"

"Gaius, I swear to the gawds, if you don't shut up-"

The door to the barracks swung open. The sound of rain pelting against the stone walkways and courtyard between the door and the royal palace echoed through the barracks. A low rumble rattled the ceiling, and a brief flash shot through the windows. A storm had rolled in and I didn't even notice until now. I also failed to notice that the people striding into the barracks were none other than a soaked Robin, a giggling Henry, and a silently irate Tharja.

"Tharja, while I appreciate your desire to assist me in my work," Robin said, his tone quick and short, which made the dark mage frown, "I am perfectly capable of opening the privy door on my own. Now, if you'll excuse me, I need to speak with Samwise and Severa."

Tharja's face darkened further, but it did not faze Robin. A part of me wondered if Robin even realized that Tharja was giving him a death stare. Was it a death stare? Now that I thought about it, Tharja's eyes were half-lidded. As I brought my ale to my lips, I froze, almost choking on the small sip I just took.

Is she trying to seduce him?

"Tharja, my friend," Henry swept around Robin and put an arm around Tharja's shoulders, causing his fellow dark mage to stiffen, "do you want to watch me make some poor commoner dance?"

Robin froze midway towards me and Severa. "Henry…"

"Very well," Tharja sniffed. "I will seek you out later, Robin. I have some more things I wish to discuss with you."

Before Robin could further protest Henry's desires, the two dark mages exited the barracks, marching into the rain without another word. As the door clicked behind them, Robin's shoulder sagged. He ran a hand over his forehead, puffing out a long sigh and muttering under his breath, before turning to me and Severa.

He gestured for us to follow him. I shared a puzzled look with Severa before shrugging and getting up from my seat.

"Enjoy my money Panne," I said with a small smile.

"I hope it all burns," Severa grumbled just loud enough for Panne's sensitive ears to hear her.

I gave Severa a surprised look. She shrugged. "What's she gonna do with it? Buy carrots?"

"You're in a mood today."

"I just lost at poker, of course I am. I hate losing," Severa remarked.

When we reached Robin he was by the fireplace, tossing a couple of logs inside. Once done with that, he wiped his hands on his pants before drawing his tome and flicking a small puff of fire onto the logs. A content sigh slipped from his lips as warmth filled the common room.

"Nothing like a fire on a rainy night." The tactician rubbed his gloved hands, hovered them near the fire for a moment, then glanced over his shoulder. "Yes?"

Severa groaned and pinched the bridge of her nose. I couldn't help but utter an amused chuckle.

"You wanted something?" I reminded Robin.

"I did?" Robin narrowed his eyes, then snapped his fingers. "Right, right, I did." A slight pout formed on his face. "Oh Naga, I need to speak with Tharja sooner than I wanted to."

"Robin?" I pressed.

"Yes, yes, yes, sorry, I get sidetracked sometimes. Although, my conversation with Tharja does relate to what I'm going to request from you two." He glanced around the common room, a despondent breath leaving his lips. "I can't enjoy the fire yet. We need privacy."

"You seriously think there's any privacy in here with Gaius around?" Severa remarked.

Robin pursed his lips. "Fair point. Besides, I'm sure Chrom and the Exalt will want to be part of this. I wished to talk with you two first to get a feel for the situation, but we may as well kill two birds with one stone." He whipped his head to Panne and Gaius. "Panne, could you please go outside and tell Tharja, who I know is spying on me through the window, to meet me in the council chambers."

Panne blinked then whipped her head to the window just in time for a dark shape to duck beneath the windowsill. Gaius chuckled beside her.

"Sunshine's becoming predictable." He shuffled some cards. "That, or Bubbles is actually focused on her. You got a thing for dark and broody, pal?"

Robin rolled his eyes. Instead of replying to Gaius's teasing, he waved for me and Severa to follow him out of the barracks to the palace.

We quickly exited the barracks and crossed the courtyard, dashing across the walkways as rain poured down in huge sheets. More thunder rumbled over my head. Great cracks of lightning erupted, making it sound like the sky was being ripped apart. Quite the foreboding atmosphere. If the Exalt's Palace wasn't white, I would've assumed I was in a classic horror movie involving a haunted castle.

Tharja and Henry were both waiting for us inside of the Palace's main hall. Once inside, I shook some water from my hair. Beside me, Severa wrung out her twin tails, a frown sitting on her lips.

"This is going to take forever to dry," She grumbled, scowling as Robin shouldered his way past her and marched towards the council chambers. Tharja trailed closely behind him.

Henry lingered a moment and snickered at Severa's disgruntled comment. He lit a small flame on his index finger. Bill cawed on his shoulder.

"I can dry you off like I did Bill," He offered, a stomach-churning grin plastered on her ghost-white face.

Severa's eyes widened. "Come near me with that fire and I'll stab you."

Henry cackled. "I'd expect nothing less. But, Robin needs us to do something, so no bloody death for me yet. I'm sure that'd cawse him to be much more exasperated than Tharja has already made him."

Severa arched an eyebrow as we walked with Henry, all of us a few steps behind Robin and Tharja. "What exactly is she doing?"

Henry snickered. "She's become infatuated with my fellow birdman."

Severa's steps ground to a halt. I paused beside her. Henry didn't even notice us stop. He was too busy whistling to himself while Bill bounced up and down on his shoulder. When we didn't continue, I furrowed my brow and glanced at Severa.

"Don't worry, Robin's not interested in Tharja."

"So says you," Severa gulped. "She's a piece of shit, but she's a good-looking piece of shit."

We walked slowly to the council chambers, the sound of thunder and rain hiding our footsteps.

"Do you really think Robin's that shallow?" I asked.

Severa rolled her eyes and folded her arms. "No, I just- there's so many things that have changed. What if… what if my mother and father don't-"

"Hey," I nudged her arm with my elbow. "There's no point in going down that line of thinking. Let's take things one situation at a time, alright? That's all we can do."

Severa snorted. "You make it sound so damn simple. But, you're right." She shook her head as we neared the council chambers. "What do you think Robin wants to talk with us about?"

"Not sure," I grabbed the door handle, waiting a moment before opening the door. "But, if I were a betting boy, then I'd say it has something to do with Plegia."

"Of course," Severa sighed. "Fine. Let's get this over with."

With a nod, I opened the door.

The council chambers were bare except for the long table at the center, the sconces lighting up the room, and the drawn curtains. I could hear the storm battering against the windows outside, the raindrops sounding like a drum banging through the air. A deep, roll of thunder rattled the room, making a candelabra on the table shudder.

Exalt Emmeryn stood at the one window that did not have the curtains drawn. Water rushed down the glass like a steady river. Dark clouds lingered over Ylisstol as the storm drenched the city, sending everyone indoors to stay dry. Emmeryn appeared forlorn and worried, which made no sense to me. She just signed a peace deal with Plegia. Shouldn't she be celebrating?

Chrom stood on the other side of the room, arms folded, a deep frown creasing his lips as he leaned against the wall. His jaw was clenched tight, and he hardly flinched when the loudest crack of thunder I've ever heard made the entire room rattle.

Lissa lingered near a chair at the head of the table, between her two siblings. She didn't look upset like her brother or sister. Instead, she appeared worried, her brow knitted in confusion and anxiety. Her fingers tapped the top of the chair as she flicked her blue eyes back and forth between Emmeryn and Chrom.

Finally, Robin, Tharja, and Henry all stood at the other end of the table, with Henry grinning ear to ear, Tharja frowning, and Robin looking entirely unreadable. The amount of awkward tension in the room made me shove my hands in my pockets.

"So," I grimaced and shrugged, "what's going on?"

Lissa swallowed hard. A long, shuddering breath left her lips as she leaned against the chair.

"Bad things," She whispered.

"I can't believe this Emm." Chrom ran one hand over his face before pinching the bridge of his nose. "We abandoned Mustafa."

My heart stopped in my chest. Severa and I both exchanged confused glances. What did Chrom mean by that?

Emmeryn let out a long breath through her nose, a faint fog coming over the windowpane in front of her. Through her reflection, I saw her close her eyes.

"We did not abandon-"

"We did exactly that!" Chrom barked, making Lissa jump where she stood. "Mustafa is the one we made peace with. We both agreed he would be the best fit to lead Plegia, to bring about long-term peace between Ylisse and Plegia. Then, behind my back, you decide to make a treaty with whoever this new, self-proclaimed King is?"

"Chrom, there are circumstances that you do not fully grasp yet," Emmeryn replied, her eyes opening as she continued staring out the window.

"What circumstances? Please, explain them to me!" Chrom demanded, his voice rising. "From what I can tell, there's something brewing in Plegia and we sided with the Grimleal over Mustafa."

"The Grimleal hold the power in Plegia," Emmeryn breathed.

"So, we support Mustafa in his effort to-"

"You would have me throw military support behind what is essentially a rebellion in a foreign nation?" Emmeryn turned around, her blue eyes narrowed on Chrom. "You would have me place our people in conflict again?" Chrom shifted beneath her stern stare, the first time I had ever seen the Prince back down from anyone. "I will not have us involved in yet another war."

"Even if it means abandoning those who call us friend?"

"If it means saving the lives of our people then yes!" Emmeryn snapped, startling Lissa. The Exalt then blinked. A long exhale left her lips. She straightened her posture and took a calming breath. "Chrom, I understand your strong feelings about the matter, but-"

Chrom said nothing. He marched out of the council room, brushing past me and Severa as he exited. The door slammed shut behind him. A long silent pause filled the room, only broken when Lissa groaned and placed her head in her hands.

"He's not going to let it go, Emm."

"I know." Emmeryn flicked her eyes to the floor. "Robin."

"Yes?" Robin stepped forward.

"Make sure Chrom doesn't do anything too rash, please. I-" Emmeryn's words caught in her throat as a small mist entered her eyes. "I will not lose any more of my family to war; especially with Plegia."

Robin bowed his head. "Of course, your majesty." He nodded to me and Severa, gesturing for us to quickly follow him out.

"So much for that meeting," I muttered out of the corner of my mouth.

"Yeah, no kidding," Severa replied.

We stepped out of the council room. Outside, Robin moved across the corridor, pressed his forehead to the wall, and uttered a long groan. Henry snickered nearby.

"I think that went well," The dark mage chirped.

"Absolutely," Tharja nodded with a dark smirk.

Robin pounded his head against the wall once, making me wince.

"Robin?" I asked, "Are you-"

He jerked his head back and drew in a deep breath. "Samwise, Severa, I have an assignment for both of you. I'm giving it to you now because I know Chrom is going to ask me to let him do something rash and I need to get ahead of him before he can."

A pit formed in my gut. I had a feeling I knew where Robin was going with his request. Already, I started going through what I needed to pack in my mind. At the very top of the list were water skins. Lots and lots of water skins.

Severa and I were about to leave Ylisstol mere hours after Robin gave us our orders. Packing for a journey to Plegia proved simple for us. We were used to the terrain, the weather, and the obstacles we would face. Finding Mustafa might prove to be a challenge, but it was one Severa and I could meet. So, after packing our gear, we made our way to the stables, where we found Chrom and Robin discussing what was happening. And, by discussing, I mean arguing.

Chrom was less than enthused by the idea of staying behind while a team of Shepherds went to find Mustafa in Plegia. By less than enthused, I mean this had to be the first time I have seen him and Robin argue so adamantly against each other. During the entire Plegian war, those two were seemingly of one mind. That's what made them such a dangerous duo on the battlefield. When the muscles follow the brain, and the brain knows the capabilities of the muscles, the entire body is potent. It was no wonder Gangrel could not defeat them.

However, when these two were out of synch, it was a sight to behold.

"Robin," Chrom seethed in the stables entrance. "I promised Mustafa that Ylisse would stand by him. If Emmeryn won't keep that promise, then I will. I have to."

"You are the Prince of Ylisstol, Chrom," Robin replied, measuring his words carefully. "You step one foot over that border and any peace, no matter how tenuous it is, is gone."

"There will never be peace with the Grimleal still in charge," Chrom rebutted.

Robin did not open his mouth to refute his point. Chrom was correct. As long as the Grimleal held power in Plegia, Ylisse would never be safe. There would never be peace between the two Archanean nations. However, what Chrom failed to realize was that the Grimleal were a sideshow. A very effective distraction from the true threat.

Grima lurked in the shadows, waiting like a patient spider for us to become trapped in his web. This entire situation reeked of his malevolent plotting. I could feel it in my bones. No one benefitted from the Exalted family fracturing, even if it was only a little bit, more than Grima. No one benefitted from Exalt Emmeryn striking a deal with the Grimleal for peace more than that damned lizard.

"Chrom," Robin sighed, "I cannot allow you to do something so foolhardy. Not because I'm the Shepherds tactician, but because I am your friend. If you do this, you'll only put yourself and your family in danger."

That struck a nerve. The determination on the Prince's face wavered. Robin pulled the friend card, and I had to admire him for it. He never seemed like the kind of person to resort to such emotional arguments, but he went there this time.

Chrom grimaced. "Damn you, Robin."

"Damn me all you want, you know I am right."

"Of course I do!" Chrom huffed. "I just don't like admitting it this time." He ran a hand over his face before finally noticing me and Severa standing there, listening to their conversation. "Does Robin have you two going in alone?"

I shrugged. "That's what was implied."

"That's not happening."

"Chrom-" Robin began, only for Chrom to raise a hand a silence him.

"They are Shepherds, Robin. I will not send them into such a dangerous situation on their own. If I cannot be by their side then I will make sure others are there to assist."

Robin uttered a long-suffering breath before nodding. "Very well then. Who do you have in mind?"

Chrom rubbed his chin, humming to himself a moment as he thought. His brow furrowed, and he glanced at Robin.

"We need to send someone as a strong representative of Ylisse, to help form diplomatic ties with Mustafa's group."

Robin's eyes widened. "You're going to-"

"I am absolutely going to side-step Emmeryn on this," Chrom said. Worry lines creased on his forehead as he folded his arms. "Look… I trust Emmeryn. I do. She's my sister and she's led Ylisse through so much turmoil, I can't even begin to imagine what it must've been like for her. But, she has this one wrong. I know it in my gut, Robin."

Robin pursed his lips. He looked torn, which shocked me. In the game, Robin was Chrom's loyal partner in all things, diplomacy and warfare. Then again, in the game, Emmeryn died and Chrom became the Exalt. Chrom did not hold that kind of power now. Robin, while loyal to Chrom, seemed to be loyal to Ylisse first. Which meant he was loyal to Emmeryn as well. He was caught in the middle of a difficult situation where either decision could end in disaster. That made me glad I was just a grunt scout.

Robin nodded. "If you're determined to go down this road, Chrom, then very well. I'll do what I can to help."

A smile cracked over Chrom's lips. He clapped a hand against Robin's scrawny shoulder. "I know. Thank you."

A ghost of a smile flickered over Robin's face before he quickly refocused on the task at hand. "Now, as for others to accompany Severa and Samwise," Robin thought for a moment then nodded, "they'll need someone of noble lineage, but level-headed."

"So, not Maribelle," Chrom said.

"Maribelle would be a decent choice if this were a true diplomatic mission. However, this is more along the lines of diplomatic espionage," Robin pointed out. "She'd stick out too much. Besides, she's busy rebuilding Themis. That should be her first priority."

"Right," Chrom agreed.

Robin hummed to himself. "Sully would be a terrible decision." That made Chrom snicker. Severa sniffed as she suppressed a small laugh herself. "Virion is not Ylissean nobility, but he might be good assistance. He can play the political games as well as anyone."

"Virion is one then," Chrom nodded. "I can see how that would work. What about Frederick?"

"He's Knight-Commander now, Chrom," Robin replied with a shake of his head. "He needs to be here, rebuilding what little military we have."

"Damn." Chrom tapped his foot as he thought hard a moment. Then he snapped his fingers, having an epiphany. "Cordelia!"

Severa sucked in a sharp breath and I felt a pit yawn wide in my gut. Robin hummed, mulling over Chrom's suggestion. Beside me, I could see Severa silently pleading to the universe for Robin to say no. Her desperate prayers, however, would not be answered. Robin's head bobbed, and her eyes closed in defeat.

"Not a bad idea, Chrom," Robin said. "Besides, Cordelia and I keep close correspondence as it is. We'll be able to exchange messages easily, maybe even using code if needed. Do you think the Pegasus Knights will deny this request?"

Chrom shook his head. "Not if we word it correctly."

Robin arched an eyebrow. "How does one go about wording a formal request 'correctly'?" He finished, making air quotes and causing Chrom to chuckle.

"Robin, my friend," the Prince wrapped an arm around Robin's shoulders, "you have to be a bit mischievous sometimes, right? Lissa didn't get all of the scheming abilities in the family, you know. Just like how I didn't get all the brawn."

Robin furrowed his brow, puzzled. Right before Severa or I could open our mouths and give any sort of input, his mouth fell open in understanding.

"Oh, we're going to lie to Commander Phila!"

"Exactly!" Chrom nodded.

Severa gawked at Robin and Chrom. Meanwhile, I sighed and shook my head. "Gaius… corrupting everyone he gets near."

"Aren't we closer, right now?" Severa muttered out the corner of her mouth.

"Let me blame the candy thief for this one."

Chrom and Robin then became like two teenagers, eagerly plotting out their small scheme as they strode away from the stables. When they were gone, I sighed and dropped my travel gear on the ground. Then, I took a seat beside it, stretching my legs out and resting my head against the wall. Severa remained rooted in place, her gear still on her back.

"Might as well sit," I said. "They need to fetch Lord Frills and your mom."

"Don't," Severa gritted her teeth, "remind me."

A low growl left her lips. She threw her stuff onto the floor, flopped to a seat, and folded her arms over her chest with a sharp huff. Once seated, she tossed one of her twintails over her shoulder, a deep scowl settling on her face. The sight made me snicker.

"Pouting?"

"Sam…"

"Hm?"

"Do you want to sleep outside the tent?"

I sucked in a breath, thought for a moment, then chuckled. Severa gave me a confused look as I leaned back and gave her a wry grin.

"Every party has a pooper and that pooper is you~~"

"I swear to every gawd in existence, Samuel!"

I threw my head back and howled. To my delight, Severa could not find it in her to remain completely miffed with me either. She snorted and shook her head, the corner of her mouth twitching to a nigh imperceptible smirk. An exasperated sigh slipped from her lips. I could see her tugging on her fingers as she held her hands in her lap.

"I'm going to be working with my mom."

"Yup."

"Sam."

"Yeah?" I glanced at her.

Severa turned to look at me. "Please make sure I don't go completely nuts around her."

I chuckled then wrapped a hand over her shoulders, tucking her in close as we waited for Robin and Chrom to return with Virion and Cordelia.

"I'll do my best."

We sat there for a few moments longer, quiet. The quiet was broken when a crow cawed from the stable's rafters. Both Severa and I thought nothing of it for a second. Then, it cawed again, and my blood ran cold. Sinister snickers slipped into my ears. The hairs on the back of my neck stood on end.

Both of our gazes turned to the path leading to the palace stables. Robin and Chrom were returning with Virion and Cordelia. Behind those four were two dark mages that I knew were going to make this mission an even bigger headache than it already was.

It was my turn to groan and sigh. Severa snickered beside me.

"Sev…"

"Every party needs a pooper, Sam."

There were only a few viable passes between Plegia and Ylisse. The mountain ranges that stretched over the border made journeying through the area perilous, even during the best of conditions. And the passes were always treacherous. They wound their way up into the tall, dry peaks. Journey high enough, and the dusty path would become crusted with ice. More than once, I slipped on a patch of black ice. Every time, I had flashbacks of that damned bus.

As we marched further into the mountains, crossing over that imaginary line between the Halidom and Plegia, the air grew colder, the sky turned grayer, and my mood turned even more sour, only ever lifted when we finally stopped moving and set up camp on a rocky outcropping overlooking a gorge or valley snaking through the range.

Severa and I led the way through the passes. Cordelia and Virion were unfamiliar with such terrain, and Tharja and Henry were not the most trustworthy of guides in their eyes. To be fair, I wouldn't let Henry escort me down a one-way road, let alone through winding mountain passes. I never knew when something would finally snap in his mind and cause him to decide to kill us all.

That'll probably happen when we stop being amusing to him.

As for Tharja guiding us, I was still uncertain about her. Perhaps it was bias from the future, but I had to view her with a wary eye. I interacted with her enough in Plegia to know that her true allegiances could not possibly be with Ylisse. If I were to guess, she was loyal, first and foremost, to her family. The Raads were a proud Plegian house, after all, and Tharja would want to uphold their powerful standing.

Despite that knowledge, it still puzzled me that she was still here. Lady Raad essentially told her daughter to turn traitor. Why? That question bounced through my mind, nagging me incessantly as we drifted further into Grimleal territory.

I was so intent on pondering the question that I didn't even realize Severa had stopped walking in front of me. I plowed into her, smacking my nose right against her shoulder. After letting out a hiss, I stepped back, wincing.

"A little warning?" I muttered, one hand covering my nose. "Am I bleeding?"

"Oh quit being dramatic," Severa said with an eye roll. "Also, I did warn you. Didn't you hear me?"

I blinked. "Guess not?" I glanced around and saw we had reached a small plateau in the pass. Big enough for all of us to set up our tents. I then looked to the sky and saw the faint outline of the sun through the gray clouds. It was nearly behind the tall peaks surrounding us. "Calling it a day?"

Severa nodded. "If the map's right, we'll start our descent tomorrow. From there, we'll head south towards Gra."

"Right," I agreed.

That was the plan. Get across the border without being detected then head directly south to Gra. If there was any place with active insurgency against the Plegian crown and the Grimleal, that would be the area. Gra itself may not be a battleground, but the sprawling savannah around it would be the perfect hiding place for Mustafa and his budding rebellion.

At least, I hope he was there, forming a rebellion. After the Longfort Siege, I meant to go speak in-depth with the ex-Plegian General but became distracted with mine and Severa's recovery. By the time we were both ready to meet with him, he had taken the Plegians loyal to him and passed south back into Plegia, leaving the Feroxi cold and returning to the heat of his homeland.

I wondered what became of them in the weeks following the end of open hostilities. Did he, Nadiyya, and Bassil return to Doluna, only to have to flee again in the wake of Grima's takeover of the city? Did they never go back at all, and instead wandered their way to Gra, where Mustafa knew he might find safe harbor among a growing rebellion? I completely lost track of him after the war, and I felt terrible about that. After everything he and his family did for me and Severa, I repaid him by ignoring him. What kind of friend does that?

"Hey," Severa nudged me with her elbow as she let her gear slip from her shoulder. "You alright? You've been less than cheerful lately."

I snorted. "Going back to Plegia doesn't exactly have me the best mood, no."

"Me neither, but I'm always grumpy, so everyone's used to it."

Severa glanced at the others. Tharja and Henry set up their tents near the plateau's edge. Virion and Cordelia's tents were across the plateau from them. The Pegasus knight was already kindling a small campfire while Virion broke out cooking utensils and rations from one of Cordelia's pegasus's saddlebags. All of them looked entirely uncomfortable, and I did not miss the wary looks shot my way by Virion and Cordelia.

"They're not used to you looking so pissed," Severa finished.

I shook my head. "I'm not mad at them. Don't know what would give them that impression." I shrugged my pack from my shoulders and set it down before bending over to unroll my tent. "Moreso upset with myself actually."

Severa arched an eyebrow. "Why the hell would you be like that?"

I exhaled through my nose. Part of me wanted to keep my feelings about this situation to myself, but I couldn't do that. Severa was my closest friend- well- more than a close friend at this point. Still not exactly sure what we were, but friends definitely wasn't it. She was also my best confidant. I could trust her with anything, and vice versa. There was no point in staying quiet.

"Chrom talked about how we abandoned Mustafa." I undid the straps to my tent and spread it out on the ground. Then I grabbed the tent poles and started pitching them. "Can't help but think I did the same."

Severa shook her head. "We did the same then."

"No, you were unconscious," I pointed out. "That's a good excuse for not keeping track of a friend."

Severa sniffed. "Could've done more to keep that from happening but…" She trailed off when I gave her a stern look. "If you're gonna tell me I had no control over that, I did. I could have not gone into that tower before it exploded."

I sighed, shook my head, and said nothing about the matter. I preferred not to relive that entire experience. Seeing Severa as broken as she had been in the wake of the Longfort Siege rattled me still. The faster this subject was dropped, the better.

Severa must've felt the same way because she started pitching her tent beside mine. Once she was done, faster than me I might add, she moved to help me out. Right as I managed to get the tent upright, Severa smirked and bumped my arm with her elbow.

"Finally figuring this out, huh? Only took you two years and two wars."

"Haha," I dryly remarked, failing to suppress my own smirk. "You know, before arriving in the future, I'd never even been camping, let alone set up a tent."

Severa snorted. "City dweller."

"Oh?" I arched an eyebrow as she gave me a playful grin. "Should I call you a country bumpkin then?"

"Mmmm," She shook her head. "More like nobility, actually. I'd prefer you call me milady, now that I think about it."

A mocking laugh slipped from my lips, which only made Severa's grin wider. "In your dreams."

A sharp whistle drew our attention. Virion looked at us from the campfire, a smug look on his face as he stirred something in a copper pot over a crackling fire.

"If you two are finished flirting, dinner is nearly ready."

Severa's cheeks burned bright red. An awkward chuckle slipped from my lips as well. I still wasn't used to that part of our relationship: everyone else knew about it. I wasn't sure who blabbed about Severa and I being a couple to the Shepherds, but I do know it wasn't Gaius. The thief swore up and down at knifepoint that it wasn't him. Severa held the knife, by the way. That's how I knew he was telling the truth.

Regardless of who said what, the Shepherds knew, thus Virion knew, and he would not stop teasing us about it the entire way through the mountains. If he wasn't teasing, then he was attempting to give us "romantic advice". That advice almost always caused Cordelia to turn bright red and Severa to nearly throttle the frilly archer. A part of me wondered if I could bribe Henry or Tharja to hex Virion. That might teach him not to butt into other people's love lives.

"What's on the menu?" I asked, keeping my musings to myself. Better to save them for later.

"The same thing as yesterday, my good man," Virion commented, grabbing a ladle and pouring a portion of bean soup into a wooden bowl. "Only this time, we're out of pepper."

"Damn it!" Severa hissed. "The only bit of flavor." She huffed and glared at me. "When we get to Gra, I want all the peppers in my food. I never realized how bland Ylissean cuisine could be until now."

Virion chuckled. "If you think Plegian food is flavorful, wait until we have a chance for me to be in a kitchen with proper ingredients. With some assistance, I may be able to cook a proper Rosanne meal. A little duck with lemon sauce, brussel sprouts tossed in olive oil and vinaigrette." Virion hummed to himself. I had to admit, my mouth was watering too. "Delightful." He glanced at me. "You're a foreigner as well, Samwise. What is your homeland's food like?"

"Fried," I replied before taking a bite of my soup. As Severa feared, it was bland.

Cordelia blinked as she took a bowl from Virion. "Fried?"

I nodded. "Take a pot, fill it with oil, bread a piece of meat or cut up a potato, throw it into the boiling oil, then voila: food."

"That sounds… interesting," Cordelia replied, trying her best to remain polite about it.

I shrugged. "It's alright. More importantly, it's what I could afford where I'm from. That kind of cooking is cheap." I ate another bite of soup and only grew hungrier as I imagined it was a juicy cheeseburger instead. "Could really go for a double cheeseburger right now. Some french fries… ketchup too." My eyes widened. "Spicy ketchup. Severa, does Ylisse have ketchup?"

She gave me a confused look.

"Thought so," I sighed. "Add that to the mental list."

"Ketchup?" Cordelia asked.

"A type of tomato sauce. Very yummy. I'll have to figure out a recipe at some point," I replied. "Anyways, now that you all know my favorite food, Cordelia?"

"Oh? Well," Cordelia crossed her legs beneath her as she set her bowl in her lap. "I'm partial to a lovely salad with fresh greens-"

"Bullshit, you'd devour a steak if you wanted to," Severa said, only for her eyes to widen when she realized what she said. That was future knowledge. We do not say future knowledge. Not unless we wanted to answer difficult questions.

Cordelia gawked at Severa. "H-how did you-"

"Steak huh?" I coughed, drawing Cordelia's attention away from Severa as quickly as I could. "Sirloin, ribeye, filet?"

"Oh, well, filet of course," Cordelia replied. Her surprise was a bit more muted than before, but she still gave Severa a curious look. "That's the most tender cut."

I nodded. "Respectable."

"Admirable choice," Virion agreed.

"Let me guess, Sam," Severa wagged her spoon at me. "Ribeye."

"I'm all about the flavor, yup," I nodded, grinning ear to ear. I patted my flat stomach. "If it wasn't for all this fighting nonsense, I'd be the best fat person you ever met."

"I'll call bullshit again," Severa said between mouthfuls of soup. "You can't put on weight to save your life."

"Speaking of which; Virion, Samwise requires a double portion, per Frederick's orders," Cordelia reminded, making me sigh and roll my eyes.

"We don't have the rations to-"

"Hand over your bowl, Samwise," Cordelia interrupted.

I hung my head. "Fine."

She plucked my empty bowl and handed it to Virion, who gave me another serving of soup. Once I took the bowl back, I glanced across the plateau to Tharja and Henry's tents. Both had already retreated inside of them, choosing to not join us for dinner again. Virion and Cordelia were also glancing in that direction, both of them frowning.

"Not very friendly comrades, I dare say," Virion muttered.

Cordelia's lips curled down to a frown. "They're Plegian dark mages. What do you expect?"

Severa's red eyes darted to Cordelia, surprised by the venom lacing her voice. I grimaced as well. While I had very mixed feelings about Tharja and Henry, I did not hold their previous lives in the Grimleal against them. They were talented with magic, practically born to be mages. When prodigies like them live in Plegia, they likely faced no other option other than pledging themselves to Grima and his will.

"Probably took a lot of courage for them to turn their backs on that life," I muttered, keeping my eyes on my soup as I stirred the still steaming broth.

Cordelia blinked, a hint of shame shooting over her. "It- it likely did, yes. But, I still don't trust them."

"You'd be foolish to trust them," Virion nodded after swallowing a bite of soup. "I'm sure Samwise and Severa would say the same."

"I would," Severa nodded. She sighed as she glanced at me. "But, they're Shepherds too, right? Might as well try to include them. Unit cohesion and all that nonsense."

Virion snorted. "A fair point, milady," He said with a smile. "Cordelia, why don't you invite them over?"

Cordelia's eyes widened. "M-Me?" We all stared at her expectantly, forcing her to give in without another word. "Very well. One moment."

She set her bowl to the side, stepped past her Pegasus, Aurora, and marched to Tharja and Henry's tents. She hesitated in front of Henry's tent, letting one hand hang in front of his tent entry for a moment. A few mad cackles spilled out, making her quickly shuffle to Tharja's much more silent tent.

Cordelia knocked, and we all waited with bated breath, wondering what Tharja would do.

A flash of purple light, some gray smoke billowed up from the tent entrance. Within seconds, Cordelia marched back to our side, face smoke-stained and hair drenched with purple slime. Her jaw was clenched as she sat down beside Virion, who was struggling to contain his laughter. Slowly, her red eyes turned to me and Severa.

"You deal with them from now on," Cordelia grumbled.

I couldn't help but chuckle under my breath. As always, dealing with the dark mages would fall to me. That task will only grow more difficult as we get further into Plegia.

Hopefully we will find Mustafa soon. If anyone knows how to put a leash on Henry, it'll be him. As for Tharja… we'll see what happens.

And chapter! Here we go folks, the plan for the two year timeskip is coming into focus. We've got a Plegian Civil War on our hands, and it looks like Sam and Severa are going to be right in the thick of it. Should be fun! Let me know what you all think of this chapter. As always, I hope you all enjoyed it. Have a nice day!

I am currently taking a break from Fiverr. Work has gotten crazy busy (potentially getting promoted, so that means more work... yay...), so I'm not really able to focus on a bunch of commissions at the moment. So, taking about a month-long haitus (ends on 7/20) to evaluate things. If you have commissions with me already, rest assured, I will get those finished, but I am currently not taking any new orders.

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